Smoked salmon is a delicacy enjoyed around the world for its rich, smoky flavor and velvety texture. This cured salmon can be served in a variety of creative ways either as a starter light meal, or as part of a lavish spread. When carefully paired with complementary flavors, textures, colors and ingredients, smoked salmon can be the star player in an unforgettable culinary experience.
In this article we will explore 12 tantalizing ways to serve up smoked salmon from elegant appetizers to main courses that will impress your dinner guests. Discover how to highlight the best qualities of smoked salmon and take your meals to new culinary heights.
Classic Pairings That Enhance Smoked Salmon
Certain ingredients have stood the test of time as favored companions to smoked salmon. By incorporating these classic pairings, you allow the natural flavors of the salmon to shine while adding delightful contrasting notes.
Cream cheese—Thick, creamy, and sour cream cheese spread on crackers or bread makes a delicious base for the smoked salmon to sit on. This combination of creamy and rich textures is comforting and deeply satisfying.
Capers – The briny pickle-like capers offer a burst of brightness that cuts through the rich fattiness of smoked salmon. Scatter these petite powerhouses over bagels, toast or salads with smoked salmon.
Red onion – In thin slices, red onion gives a welcome crunch and adds a subtle peppery sweetness that pairs beautifully with smoked salmon’s smoky notes.
Lemon: A squeeze of lemon juice or a wedge of lemon adds a bright acidity that goes well with the salty and rich smoked salmon.
Dill: Dill’s fresh, grassy taste makes smoked salmon taste better in salads, sandwiches, spreads, and other foods. This aromatic herb has a natural affinity for salmon.
Cucumber – Cool and crispy cucumber slices or ribbons add freshness and crunch alongside silky smoked salmon. A refreshing complement.
Chive – From a garnish to an ingredient in dips and spreads, the subtle oniony flavor of chives enlivens smoked salmon dishes.
Elegant Appetizers Featuring Smoked Salmon
Served in small portions, smoked salmon makes for an elegant and impressive appetizer. Here are 5 appetizer ideas to inspire your next gathering:
Smoked salmon mousse – Puree smoked salmon with cream cheese, lemon juice and fresh dill. Serve in a bowl surrounded by crackers, cucumber slices and red onion.
Smoked salmon tartines – Top baguette slices with goat cheese, smoked salmon and fresh dill. Finish with a squirt of lemon juice.
Smoked salmon deviled eggs – Fill halved hard-boiled eggs with a creamy filling of smoked salmon, cream cheese, mustard and lemon juice. Garnish with chives.
Smoked salmon crostini – Top toasted baguette rounds with a schmear of cream cheese, smoked salmon, capers and microgreens.
Smoked salmon flatbread – Spread naan or flatbread with crème fraîche and cream cheese. Top with smoked salmon, red onion, capers, lemon and dill.
Entrées Starring Smoked Salmon
While excellent on its own, smoked salmon can also be incorporated into dazzling main dishes. Think beyond the bagel with these entrée recipe ideas:
Smoked salmon frittata – Make this oven-baked omelette with smoked salmon, spinach, and goat cheese or cheddar for a protein-packed meal.
Smoked salmon pasta – Toss hot pasta with smoked salmon pieces, lemon, capers, olive oil and parsley. Grate Parmesan on top for added richness.
Smoked salmon Niçoise salad – Arrange smoked salmon slices over mixed greens, green beans, tomatoes, olives, boiled eggs and potatoes. Dress with lemon vinaigrette.
Smoked salmon tacos – Fill soft corn tortillas with flaked smoked salmon, avocado, shredded cabbage, mango salsa and spicy mayo.
Smoked salmon pizza – Top a prepared pizza crust with crème fraîche or ricotta cheese, smoked salmon pieces, mozzarella, capers and red onion.
Smoked salmon quiche – Make a savory custard quiche filled with smoked salmon, Gruyère cheese, sautéed leeks or spinach. Serve wedge slices.
Smoked salmon hash – Sauté potatoes and onions. Add flaky smoked salmon and poach eggs on top for a satisfying one-skillet meal.
Creative Pairings to Treat Your Tastebuds
Once you move beyond the classics, a world of possibility opens up for smoked salmon pairings. Get creative with textures, flavors and colors to take your recipes over the top.
Smoked salmon and avocado – The rich, buttery avocado is a fantastic match for velvety smoked salmon. Use smashed or sliced avocado on toast, salads, tacos and more.
Smoked salmon and beet – Whether shaved in salads or baked into latkes, earthy beets provide beautiful color contrast and pleasant sweetness to balance the smoked salmon’s saltiness.
Smoked salmon and melon – Sweet honeydew, cantaloupe or watermelon paired with smoked salmon make for an unexpected taste sensation. Ideal for summery salads or platters.
Smoked salmon and roasted vegetables – Hearty roasted vegetables like potatoes, Brussels sprouts, carrots or cauliflower make satisfying accompaniments to smoked salmon.
Smoked salmon and cheddar grits – For breakfast or dinner, smoked salmon served over creamy cheddar grits is comfort food at its best. Sprinkle with scallions.
Smoked salmon and bagel chips – For fun appetizers, top crispy homemade bagel chips with whipped cream cheese, smoked salmon and everything bagel seasoning.
Simple Presentation Ideas
One of the beauties of smoked salmon is that it needs little adornment. Focus on quality ingredients and artful arrangements.
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Roll and arrange thin slices of smoked salmon roses on a platter.
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Drape long pieces of smoked salmon over blini topped with crème fraîche and lemon zest.
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Allow wafer-thin slices of smoked salmon to curl gently over a bed of watercress.
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Carefully wind long strips of smoked salmon into pinwheel roses.
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Serve chunks of smoked salmon speared by crisp endive leaves and lemon wedges for squeezing.
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Allow thin folds of smoked salmon to gracefully hang over the edge of the plate.
By thoughtfully combining flavors, colors, textures and shapes, you can create an unforgettable feast for the senses starring smoked salmon. With these serving suggestions, you’ll elevate this incredible ingredient to new culinary heights.
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How to Serve Smoked Salmon
When you’re trying to get out of a breakfast rut, smoked salmon is your ally. Toss it into your usual scrambled eggs and top with chives. It tastes great on toast with cream cheese, or if you have some extra time in the morning, try it with poached eggs and greens for a fancy bagel sandwich. Smoked salmon’s plentiful protein—along with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D—will keep you satisfied till lunchtime or beyond.
Kimi Werners Wild Salmon Omelet. Photo by Thomas J. Story
Smoked salmon is a brunch staple for a reason. You can add the fish to a big fat omelet or pan-sear it in salmon cakes to go with a green salad. It makes everything better. For a smoked salmon platter, put the fillets out with other brunch foods like tomatoes, red onions, dill, cream cheese, bagels or toast, cucumbers, and hard-boiled eggs. This way, everyone can help themselves.
Adding smoked salmon to that salad or veggie sandwich you make for lunch every week will make it taste better and be better for you right away. You can add salmon to a four-bean salad, a cucumber, avocado, and tomato salad, or a tangle of soba noodles for a work lunch or a picnic on the weekend. If you’re off for a hike, take two minutes and pack up this salmon wrap. In camp? Stir smoked salmon into hearty Tsampa Soup for a satisfying midday meal. Do you have some extra time? Make a sour and spicy ceviche with smoked salmon instead of the usual raw fish.
Salmon with cream cheese on a cracker is the classic. While there’s nothing wrong with that, it can be fun to try something different every once in a while. Try salmon spring rolls with lots of fresh herbs or crunchy salmon hush puppies with chimichurri tartar sauce. Make this Wild Salmon Spread instead of a smoked salmon cracker for a change. It is one of Provisions’ most-loved recipes ever.
This is How I get PERFECT Smoked Salmon EVERY Time
FAQ
What is smoked salmon best served on?
What is smoked salmon good for?
What can you eat with smoked salmon?
Here’s the short answer. The best dishes to serve with smoked salmon are arugula salad, lemon pasta, homemade bagels, cucumber sandwiches, and white asparagus. For more unique options, try seasoned Japanese rice, Greek quinoa salad, or a tropical mango salsa. You can also use the smoked salmon to make sushi. Ready? Let’s jump right in.
Is smoked salmon good for you?
Salmon is a source of high-quality protein, magnesium, and selenium. In addition, it provides healthy fatty acids for the body. It contains large amounts of omega 3, which prevents cardiovascular diseases, has anti-inflammatory properties, and prevents certain types of Cancer.
What does smoked salmon taste like?
Luscious, buttery, smoky, silky, salty, and sweet. It’s all there in one bite. Smoked salmon packs all the complexity that much more complicated foods work much harder to achieve. Smoked salmon is the king of bagel toppings, the master of canapes, and the Jedi knight of breakfast and brunch.
What goes well with smoky salmon?
Dill and Lemon: The fresh and herbaceous notes of dill perfectly complement the smoky richness of the salmon, while a squeeze of lemon adds a vibrant burst of citrusy tang. Cream Cheese and Capers: The creamy and slightly tangy cream cheese provides a luscious backdrop for the smoky salmon, while the briny capers add a delightful pop of saltiness.